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Article History

Received: 23 December 2025

Accepted: 10 April 2026

First Online: 24 April 2026

Declarations

:

: This research was submitted to and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), under the Certificate of Presentation for Ethical Consideration (CAAE) number 82208324.9.0000.5537 and Approval Opinion number 7.171.163. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards established by the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its subsequent amendments. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants or their legally authorized representatives prior to inclusion in the study, including the use and publication of photographic records and medical chart data. For patients who were conscious and not sedated at the time of inclusion, the research team provided detailed information regarding the study objectives, procedures, potential risks, and benefits, and consent was signed by the patient. In cases where patients were sedated or unable to provide consent, authorization was obtained from a legally authorized representative (usually a family member) during regular ICU visiting hours. These procedures were fully compliant with ethical guidelines for research involving vulnerable populations. We would like to inform you that specific informed consent for the use and publication of clinical images was duly obtained from the patients or their legal guardians, as applicable, in accordance with institutional ethical standards.

: The authors declare no competing interests.